THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

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AN   ADDRESS 


Hon.  Robert  P.  Dick. 


DELIVERED   AT 


Chapel  Hill,  N.  C,   Wednesday,  June  jth,  1893, 


Commencement  Day  of  the  University  of  North  Carolina. 


GREENSBORO,  N.  C: 

C.  F.  Thomas,  Book  and  Job  Printer, 

1893. 


AN  ADDRESS. 


Ladies  and  Gentlemen: 

Four  years  ago  I  attended  the  celebration  of  the  cen- 
tennial of  this  venerable  University,  and  met  with  many 
college  brothers — -young  and  old- — but  only  a  few  college 
comrades.  We  truly  had  the  "feast  of  reason  and  the 
flow  of  soul,"  hallowed  and  beautified  with  many  cher- 
ished memories.  Then  we  formed  many  new  acquaint- 
anceships, renewed  old  friendships,  and  together  pledged 
continued  and  affectionate  devotion  to  our  Alma  Mater. 

That  occasion  will  ever  be  one  of  the  most  pleasant 
recollections  of  my  life,  as,  in  memory,  it  carried  me 
back  over  the  varied  gloom  and  brightness  of  intervening 
years  to  the  sunny  springtime  of  my  early  days. 

My  visits  to  Chapel  Hill  recall  to  my  mind  some  his- 
torical facts  and  local  incidents  and  associations,  which 
I  have  read  in  books  of  travel,  about  the  old  Etruscan 
city  of  Pisa.  Tourists  inform  us  that  in  that  venerable 
city  there  is  a  group  of  ancient  and  splendid  edifices 
around  the  Campo  Santo,  which  was  made  holy  by  many 
shiploads  of  soil  brought  from  Mount  Calvary  under  the 
direction  of  a  bishop  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  who  had 
engaged  in  the  crusades. 

Those  white  marble  edifices  seem  to  have  withstood 
the  corroding  and  decaying  agencies  and  influences  of 
time,  and  still  have  the  freshness  and  beauty  of  the  early 
days  of  their  erection — seven  hundred  years  ago.  They 
truly  link  the  present  with  the  past,  as  they  have  wit- 
nessed the  joys  and  the  sorrows,  the  labors  and  achieve- 


ments,  and  the  coming  and  the  going  of  more  than 
twenty  generations.  They  are  enriched  and  adorned 
with  some  of  the  finest  productions  of  art  during  five 
centuries  prolific  in  the  achievements  of  splendid  genius 
and  culture  ;  and  they  are  associated  with  many  import- 
ant and  interesting  events  in  the  history  of  progressive 
learning,  literature,  science,  philosophy  and  enlightened 
jurisprudence.  ^ 

In  this  historic  group  of  edifices  there  is  one — called" 
the  Baptistery — that  is  especially  attractive  and  remark- 
able for  the  echoing  melodies  that  are  produced  within 
its  walls  by  tones  of  the  human  voice  attuned  to  certain 
musical  notes  and  chords.  As  soon  as  such  tones  are 
uttered,  the  awakened  and  responsive  melodies  are  blend- 
ed into  echoing  harmonies  that  ripple,  roll  and  swell 
through  the  building  like  the  symphonies  of  unseen 
choirs  of  rejoicing  Cherubim  and  Seraphim,  and  then 
rise  on  viewless  wings  of  sweet  cadences  into  the  lofty 
dome,  and  then  gently  pass  into  the  silence  of  the  upper  ! 
distance,  on  their  heavenward  way.  They  were  like  the 
soft,  sweet  voices  of  the  past  that  meet  in  unison  in  the 
heart,  with  the  joys  of  the  present  and  the  hopes  and 
aspirations  of  the  future,  and  blend  into  thrilling  and 
inspiring  harmonies. 

This  Old  Campus  has  some  of  the  agencies  and  appli- 
ances of  religious  consecration  in  the  morning,  evening 
and  Sabbath  chimes  of  the  College  bell,  calling  to  prayer 
and  worship  for  more  than  a  hundred  years;  and  it  is 
rich  in  memories  and  associations  of  pleasant  incidents 
and  affectionate  friendships  that  make  it  to  all  returning 
students  "haunted  and  holy  ground.' 

The  Old  Buildings  of  this  University  have  their  pecu- 
liar reminiscences  of  unportrayed  scenes  and  events,  and 
of  unrecorded  thoughts,  emotions,  cares,  sorrows,  pray- 
ers and  hopes  of  their  many  occupants.     They  have   no 


5 

place  on  the  pages  of  history,  but  they  were  inscribed 
with  vivid  distinctness  by  the  diamond  pen  of  memory 
in  many  hearts  that  are  now  cold  in  the  grave,  in  many 
hearts  that  are  now  feebly  throbbing  with  age  and  infirm- 
ity, and  in  many  hearts  illumined  with  fond  hopes  and 
bounding  with  vigorous  energies.  Many  of  these 
thoughts,  emotions,  aspirations  and  hopes  have  been  re- 
corded in  the  Lamb's  Book  of  Life. 

Were  these  old  College  groves  inhabited  by  the  Dryads 
and  Hamadryads  of  classic  fable,  they  could  tell  many  a 
pleasing,  suggestive  or  marvellous  story  of  things  which 
they  had  seen,  heard  or  imagined,  in  sunlight  or  in 
shade  or  beneath  the  silent  stars  in  the  hours  gone  by 
forever. 

To  me  old  Gerrard  Hall  has  much  of  the  sanctity  of  a 
baptistery.  There  I  often  heard  lessons  of  divine  truth 
and  wisdom  from  venerated  lips  that  taught  me  science 
and  literature  in  the  class-room,  and  spoke  many  words 
of  kindness  and  sympathy  in  daily  intercourse.  There  I 
received  the  honors  and  the  parting  blessings  of  my 
Alma  Mater,  as  she  sent  me  forth  clothed  in  the  strong 
panoply  which  she  had  wrought,  to  struggle  for  fortune 
and  fame  in  the  battlefields  of  busy  life,  and  to  perform 
the  duties  which  I  owed  to  myself,  my  fellow  man,  my 
country,  my  God  and  truth. 

The  tones  of  the  voices  of  my  college  brethren,  in  that 
old  sanctuary  of  learning  and  friendship — on  our  grand 
Centennial  festal  day — were  not  attuned  to  musical 
notes  and  chords,  but  they  recalled  many  sunny  memo- 
ories  of  the  "  long  ago,"  which  were  sweeter  to  my  heart 
than  the  cultured  harmonies  of  sound;  and  they  awak- 
ened feelings  and  emotions  of  sympathetic  affection, 
pathos  and  harmony,  as  I  contemplated  the  scenes  before 
me  and  compared  them  with  my  vivid  recollections  of 
former  days. 


"Those  days  of  old  when  youth  was  bold, 

And  time  stole  wings  to  speed  it, 
And  youth  ne'er  knew  how  fast  time  flew. 

Or  knowing  did  not  heed  it. 
Though  gray  each  brow  that  meets  us  now, 

For  age  brings  wintry  weather, 
Yet  naught  can  be  so  sweet  to  see 

As  dear  old  friends  together." 

I  have  come  here  to-day  as  a  representative  of  the  class 
of  1843 — that  graduated  just  fifty  years  ago.  I  am  glad 
again  to  meet  so  many  of  my  college  brethren,  and  I 
am  sad  because  I  greet  so  few  of  my  former  comrades 
and  class-mates. 

There  is  many  a  spot,  many  a  tree,  and  many  a  scene 
where,  in  memory,  I  can  hold  communion  with  them 
and  feel  again  the  thrill  of  the  oldtime  youthful  joys. 
The  little  company  in  the  grand  army  of  the  generations, 
with  which  I  commenced  the  march  of  real  life,  have 
nearly  all  passed  over  the  river,  and  here  amidst  similar 
scenes  of  association,  enjoyment  and  employment,  I 
can  serenely  and  hopefully  contemplate  the  land  of  the 
'•  Heavenly  Rest,"  when  the  dear  friends  of  earth — parted 
now — will  surely  meet  again. 

The  subject  of  my  graduation  speech  was,  "  The  His- 
tory and  Resources  of  North  Carolina;"  and  my  patriotic 
love  and  devotion  for  "  The  Good  Old  North  State " 
have  increased  with  my  advancing  years,  and  I  feel  that 
this  University  has  contributed  largely  to  our  State  en- 
lightenment, prosperity,  greatness  and  renown. 

In  the  morning  of  young  manhood  I  thought  that  fifty 
years  was  a  very  long  period  in  individual  life.  I  think 
differently  now,  for  it  seems  but  yesterday  when  I  was  a 
college  boy  surrounded  by  loved  comrades  who  were  as 
vigorous  and  buoyant  with  health,  joys  and  ambitious 
hopes  as  the  young  men  I  see  before  me  to-day. 


While  there  are  in  the  ways  of  human  life  infinite  va- 
rieties and  diversities  in  individuals,  and  in  domestic,  so- 
cial and  civil  relations,  still  there  is  much  of  general 
sameness  in  the  incidents,  duties,  occupations,  enjoy- 
ments and  disappointments  of  every  day-life.  We  are 
told  that  "  History  often  repeats  itself"  So  the  genera- 
tion of  the  present  is,  in  many  respects,  a  repetition  of 
preceding  generations;  and  so  it  will  be  with  many 
generations  to  come.  The  Psalmist  has  truly  said, 
"  One  generation  shall  praise  thy  works  to  another,  and 
shall  declare  thy  mighty  acts." 

"  Thy  kingdom  is  an  everlasting  kingdom  and  thy  do- 
minion endureth  throughout  all  generations." 

Many  improved  means  and  methods  have  been  devised 
for  the  convenient  and  ready  communication  of  instruc- 
tion— but  no  royal  road  to  learning  has  ever  yet  been 
discovered  that  affords  idlers  and  laggards  easy  access 
to  the  rich  storehouses  of  valuable  knowledge.  There 
is  no  intuitive  or  spontaneous  generation  of  efficient  in- 
tellectual power  and  high  moral  excellence.  Labor  is 
the  divinely  imposed  destiny  of  man,  and  it  must  be  ob- 
served and  obeyed  to  attain  beneficent  results. 

The  general  laws  and  principles  of  education  are  now, 
as  they  have  ever  been.  Arduous  effort  and  ceaseless 
judicious  culture  are  required  to  develop  the  physical, 
mental,  moral  and  spiritual  faculties  and  energies  of 
mankind  into  the  elements  and  forces  that  produce  those 
practical  virtues,  disciplined  capacities,  systematized 
knowledge  and  matured  wisdom  that  will  enable  them 
to  enjoy  the  blessings  of  this  life,  and  perform  aright  the 
duties  of  their  destiny. 

Nature  works  with  sublime  slowness  in  most  of  her 
great  productions,  and  in  so  doing  she  yields  implicit 
obedience  and  uncomplaining  submission  to  the  laws  of 
her  Maker.     She  teaches  mankind   many  grand  lessons 


of  patience,  perseverance  and  obedience  in  attaining  and 
achieving  the  just  ends  and  purposes  of  life.  As  God 
has  created  all  things  in  nature  for  a  definite  purpose, 
and  placed  them  in  that  condition,  locality  and  associ- 
ation where  they  will  best  subserve  the  objects  and  plans 
of  Divine  economy,  so  I  firmly  believe  that  God  cre- 
ated every  human  being  for  a  specific  purpose,  and  placed 
him  in  that  sphere  of  life  wherein — if  he  yields  submission 
to  divine  control — his  subsequent  conduct  and  environ- 
ments will  be  such  as  to  enable  him  to  perform  his  part 
in  the  plans  and  objects  of  divine  arrangement. 

We  cannot  fully  comprehend  the  ways  and  dealings  of 
God  with  mankind — and  as  the  creatures  of  His  hand, 
we  should  not  question  His  wisdom,  goodness,  mercy 
and  love;  but  as  obedient  children,  in  humble  faith  and 
submission,  rely  upon  the  precious  promises  of  our  Heav- 
enly Father,  implicitly  trusting  in  the  consoling  and 
comforting  words  of  our  Saviour:  "What  I  do  thou 
knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know  hereafter." 

God  is  the  great  Educator  of  mankind,  and  this  com- 
modious, beautiful  and  magnificent  world  which  He  has 
created  is  His  grand  University.  In  this  world  univer- 
sity there  are  four  great  classes  of  the  human  race  in 
conditions  of  barbarism,  semi-barbarism,  civilization  and 
enlightened  civilization.  We  know  nothing  of  the  means 
and  methods  of  instruction,  advancement  and  govern- 
ment which  God  employs,  except  the  knowledge  which 
has  been  communicated  to  us  by  way  of  personal  expe- 
rience, reason  and  science,  and  by  the  light  of  history, 
of  nature  and  divine  revelation. 

We  know  that  while  '  Clouds  and  darkness  are  round 
about  Him,  righteousness  and  judgment  are  the  habita- 
tion   of  His  throne." 

We  know  that  God  by  the  ministry  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
is  ever  giving  counsel,  consolation  and  comfort  to   His 


II 


believing  people;  and  admonitions,  warnings  and  offers 
of  reconciliation  to  those  who  do  not  obediently  recog- 
nize His  Fatherhood  and  the  omnipotence  of  His  domin- 
ion. We  know  that  He  is  ever  manifesting  His  wisdom, 
mercy,  goodness,  love  and  power  by  the  continuous 
blessings  of  His  Providences.  We  know  that  He  has 
placed  in  this  world  a  rich  library  of  inspiration,  reveal- 
ing His  will,  precious  promises  and  gracious  instructions 
and  encouragements,  so  expressed  as  to  be  capable  of 
intelligible  translation  into  every  language  of  mankind, 
and  suited  to  the  apprehension,  taste  and  culture  of  every 
one  in  every  sphere  of  life. 

In  this  comprehensive  Library  we  find  biographies  and 
scenes  of  domestic,  social  and  civic  life  portrayed  in  the 
instructive  simplicity  of  common  speech,  and  we  also 
find  the  terse  and  graphic  narrative  of  grand  events, 
the  forceful  logic  that  convinces  the  mind,  the  sweet 
rhythm,  harmony  and  imagery  that  charm  and  soothe  the 
heart,  and  the  sublime  poetry  and  eloquence  that  thrill 
and  enrapture  the  soul. 

We  know  that  each  day  and  nearly  every  hour  He  dis- 
plays on  the  surface  of  the  earth  or  in  the  skies  new 
scenes  of  exquisite  and  inimitable  loveliness  to  cultivate 
man's  innate  sense  of  the  beautiful  and  afford  him  per- 
petual pleasures. 

We  know  that  He   keeps  in   ceaseless,  unwearied   and  . 
unerring    operation,  under    His  guiding    eye  and  hand, 
the  grand    and    complex    machinery    of    His    works    in 
nature,  to  preserve  this  earth  as  a    pleasant,    healthful, 
beautiful  and  bountiful  habitation  for  man. 

We  know  that  His  benificences  are  seen,  felt  or  heard 
by  all  His  creatures,  from  the  smallest  to  the  greates, 
to  the  uttermost  part  of  the  earth,  from  the  sunless  and 
silent  depths  of  the  ocean  up  through  the  ambient  air, 
through  the  sombre,  fleecy  or  radiant  clouds,  to  and  be- 


lO 

yond  the  munificent  and   glorious  sun  and    the    golden 
stars. 

From  God's  word  and  works,  and  from  the  lessons 
which  He  has  taught  in  His  dealings  with  the  human 
race,  mankind  have  derived  their  profoundest  wisdom, 
their  richest  knowledge,  their  most  elevated  and  refined 
principles  of  morality,  their  purest  literature  and  their 
most  enlightened  principles  and  institutions  of  civil  and 
religious  freedom  and  government,  and  of  human  benev- 
olence and  charity. 

Science  is  only  a  human  classification  of  the  knowledge 
of  some  of  the  materials,  elements,  forces  and  laws  of 
nature  which  have  been  partially  discovered  by  observa- 
tion, experiment,  enlightened  reason  and  patient  induc- 
tion. Any  further  advancements  in  this  department  of 
human  learning  will  be  but  additional  acquisitions  of 
knowledge  of  the  exhaustless  elements  and  unwearied 
agencies  that  abundantly  exist  and  ceaselessly  co-oper- 
ate with  unerring  regularity  and  exactitude  in  the  vast 
storehouses  and  workshops  of  nature. 

The  useful  arts  are  only  the  application  of  the  princi- 
ples and  laws  of  science  to  purposes  of  convenience, 
comfort  and  enjoyment.  The  Fine  Arts  result  from  the 
cultivation  of  the  innate  sense  of  the  "beautiful"  into 
aesthetic  tastes,  refined  perceptions  and  exquisite  skill  by 
observation  and  imitation  of  the  objects  and  scenes  in 
nature  that  are  everywhere  displayed  in  profuse  abund- 
ance and  in  infinite  varieties  of  elegance  and  loveliness. 

Poetry  of  the  highest  order  is  the  linguistic  expression 
of  the  beauty,  rhythm,  melody,  harmony,  grandeur  and 
sublimity  which  the  discerning  eyes  and  susceptible 
hearts  of  genius  have  seen,  felt  or  heard  in  the  manifold 
work  of  creation,  and  which  they  have  found  richly 
illustrated  in  the  splendid  pages  of  inspiration.  Any 
further  achievements  by  human   effort   in   the  realms  of 


'  II 

poetry  and  the  Fine  Arts,  will  be  only  a  fuller  and  more 
glorious  apprehension  and  realization  of  the  everywhere 
manifest  truth,  that  God  in  nature  is  the  primal  source, 
and  He  is  the  continuous  and  matchless  delineator  of 
"  the  true,  the  good  and  the  beautiful."  The  tendency 
of  Christian  civilization  is  to  enlighten,  refine  and  elevate 
the  mental,  moral  and  spiritual  faculties  and  energies  of 
mankind  and  make  them  more  and  more  "  in  the  image 
of  their  Maker." 

The  principles  and  truths  of  moral  philosophy  engaged 
the  attention  and  research  of  some  of  the  wisest  and  best 
sages  of  the  ancient  world.  Their  exalted  minds  ranged 
widely  and  grandly  through  the  fields  of  speculative 
philosophy  and  refined  idealism,  and  they  expressed 
their  doctrines  in  the  noblest  eloquence  of  human  thought 
and  language.  They  discovered  and  announced  many 
principles  and  formed  many  brilliant  conceptions  of  truth 
— that  were  radiant  with  light  and  beauty — but  they  were 
grouped  and  enfolded  in  nebulous  confusion.  Their 
finite  minds  sought  in  vain  to  comprehend  the  Infinite, 
and  discover  the  sun  and  fixed  stars  of  Eternal  Truth, 
which  have  been  partially  disclosed  in  the  sublime  teach- 
ings of  Revelation. 

The  Bible  is  the  real  and  copious  source  of  the  en- 
lightening, purifying  and  elevating  truths  and  principles 
of  sound  social  ethics  and  personal  morality  and  virtue; 
and  it  also  communicates  much  precious  and  useful 
knowledge,  which  meditation,  prayer  and  conscientious 
application  will  ever  mature  into  that  wisdom  which  leads 
into  the  ways  of  pleasantness  and  into  the  paths  of  peace 
and   immortal  blessedness. 

History,  which  teaches  instructive  lessons  of  wisdom 
and  philosophy  is  only  a  very  incomplete  record  of  God's 
dealings  with  mankind  in  past  ages.  In  our  own  expe- 
rience and  in  the  light  of  history  God   has  manifiested 


12 

and  still  manifests  some  of  the  thoughts,  plans  and 
purposes  of  His  superintending  providence.  We  can 
see  the  beneficent  results  which  He  has  evolved  and  de- 
veloped from  the  wicked,  cruel  and  bloody  strifes  and 
turmoils  of  hostile  and  contending  nations.  In  all  the 
ages  there  have  been  continuous  conflicts  between  the 
elements  and  agencies  of  ^(?<?</ and  evil;  between  inno- 
cence, virtue,  justice  and  truth  on  the  one  side,  and  on 
the  other  the  baseness,  error,  wrong,  vice  and  cruelty  of 
depraved  humanity.  These  conflicts  have  furnished 
many  dark  and  sad  stories  of  poverty,  sorrow,  suffering, 
misery,  agony,  crime  and  disasters;  but  in  the  course  of 
the  ages  we  see  Victory  slowly  but  surely  declaring  for 
the  "good;"  everywhere  strengthening  and  enlarging 
the  fortresses,  agencies,  armories,  store  houses  and  trib- 
unals of  justice,  mercy  and  truth,  and  advancing  its 
cheering,  resplendent  and  protecting  banners  all  along 
the  lines  of  human  progress. 

In  the  benign  and  glorious  march  of  Christian  civilization 
we  can  readily  observe  how  wisely  and  mercifully  God  has 
commingled  and  arranged  all  the  best  elements,  agen- 
cies and  influences  of  humanity  into  active,  harmonious 
and  progressive  forces.  In  this  grand  army  there  are  in- 
numerable companies  formed  into  distinctive  corps  and 
placed  in  various  fields  of  service.  Their  operations  in 
former  times  appear  to  our  finite  minds  to  have  been  in- 
congruous, hostile,  antagonistic  and  disastrous,  but  every 
day  we  can  percieve  that  they  are  becoming  better  dis- 
ciplined and  are  rendered  more  efficient  and  harmonious. 

We  see  the  innocence,  guileless  affection  and  joyful 
hopefulness  of  childhood  and  youth  that  brighten  and 
cheer  Christian  homes  and  renew  the  strength  and  en- 
durance of  parents  and  kindred  to  bear  the  burdens  of 
solicitude,  sorrow,  self-denial  and  daily  toil. 

We  see  the  vigor,  energy,  enterprise  and   enthusiasm 


13 

of  young  men  and  women  entering  upon  their  untried 
pathways  of  life,  eagerly  pressing  to  the  forward  ranks 
and  oftentimes  ambitiously  striving  to  reach  prematurely 
the  vanguard. 

Then  we  see  maturer  manhood  and  womanhood  in  the 
heat  and  burden  of  the  day — in  the  midst  of  joys  and 
sorrows,  successes  and  disappointments — toiling  and 
struggling  in  the  performance  of  the  essential,  arduous 
and  pleasant  duties  that  surround  them,  earnestly  long- 
ing to  acquire  the  means  and  opportunities  for  comfort, 
contentment  and  repose. 

Then  we  see  the  Old  Guards — who  are  God's  reserved 
forces  of  society,  disciplined  in  a  hundred  conflicts, 
whose  courage,  firmness,  patient  endurance  and  useful- 
ness are  elevated  and  sustained  by  sturdy  virtues,  expe- 
rience, conservatism,  knowledge,  wisdom  and  Christian 
faith. 

In  the  light  of  Revelation,  science  and  history,  we  can 
readily  see  that  the  God  who  rules  among  the  armies  of 
Heaven,  and,  in  the  midst  of  sunshine,  calm  or  storms, 
controls  the  complex  mechanism  of  the  physical  universe 
with  unerring  regularity  and  infinite  beneficence,  rules 
also  among  the  inhabitants  of  earth,  and  has  marshalled 
the  grand  army  of  Christian  civilization,  led  on  by  the 
Bible  Ark  of  the  Covenant,  beneath  the  fiery  and  cloudy 
pillar  of  His  Providence,  to  the  achievement  of  His 
plans  and  purposes  in  the  onward  and  upward  progress 
of  human  affairs  and  the  advancement  of  His  Kingdom 
of  Righteousness. 

To-day  I  have  come  from  the  engagements  and  duties 
of  the  busy  world  to  these  fountains  and  groves  of  cul- 
ture, learning  and  hallowed  memories,  to  seek  refresh- 
ment and  brief  repose,  and  to  speak  words  of  cheer  and 
encouragement  to  my  young  brethren — those  who  are 
now  about  to  depart,  and  those  who  will  still  abide  for  a 


14 

time  within  the  halls   and  beneath   the  roof-tress  of  our 
common  literary  inheritance  and  home. 

I  have  no  words  of  discouragement  to  speak,  and  only 
a  few  words  of  admonition.  Unless  you  have  been  pre- 
pared tn  your  parental  homes,  and  have  acquired  strength, 
virtue  and  wisdom  from  the  mental  and  moral  culture 
you  have  here  received,  you  will  soon  learn  some  stern 
lessons  of  disappointment  and  sorrow  in  the  schools  of 
bitter  experience. 

You  have  heard  many  premonitions  as  to  the  trials, 
temptations,  difficulties  and  dangers  which  you  will  en- 
counter in  the  world  of  active  affairs,  and  if  you  will  not 
heed  those  warnings  from  the  hearts  and  lips  of  those 
you  love  and  venerate — words  of  advice  from  me  would 
be  as  the  empty  air. 

There  are  many  difficulties  before  you,  but  they  can 
be  overcome.  What  man  has  done,  man  can  do  again, 
and  achieve  still  grander  triumphs.  Many  temptations 
will  beset  your  pathways  with  alluring  promises  of  pleas- 
ures and  advantages,  but  they  are  generally  deceptive, 
and  can  and  must  be  successfully  resisted. 

If  you  will  meet  trials  bravely,  cheerfully,  hopefully 
and  persistently,  you  will  acquire  atrength  from  conquest, 
rather  th^n  be  overwhelmed  by  the  disasters  of  defeat. 
"  Do  unto  others  as  you  would  have  others  do  unto  you," 
and  you  will  find  by  the  results  of  experience  that  this 
divine  maxim  is  indeed  a    "Golden  Rule." 

If  adverse  and  unfounded  prejudices,  falsehoods  and 
criticisms  annoy  you  by  their  injustice  and  wrong,  time 
and  the  rectitude  of  your  own  conduct  will  generally 
furnish  an  all-sufficient  remedy  and  reparation.  If  the 
infidelity  and  ingratitude  of  former  friends  whom  you 
had  treated  kindly  and  generously  trusted,  tend  to  arouse 
feelings  of  bitterness  in  your  heart  and  to  make  you  lose 
confidence  in   the   truth    and   sincerity  of  human  justice 


15 

and  friendship,  still  be  lenient  in  your  judgments  on  the 
conduct  of  your  fellow  men,  and  strive — as  far  as  self- 
respect  will  allow — to  practice  forgiveness,  forbearance 
and  charity,  for  these  are  divine  virtues  and  will  ennoble 
your  nature  and  afford  >ou  pleasant  reminiscences  and 
an  approving  conscience. 

Manly  courage  in  self-defense,  and  in  vindicating  what 
is  just  and  true  is  always  admirable  and  right,  but  bitter 
recrimination  and  aggressive  violence  should  be  avoided, 
as  far  as  possible;  and  retaliation  is  prompted  by  a  spirit 
of  revenge  and  is  always  wrong,  if  not  odious.  If  per- 
plexities in  business  disturb  you  ;  if  anxieties  and  sor- 
rows in  domestic  and  social  life  cause  you  useless 
repinings,  wasteful  wakefulness  and  many  tears  ;  if  you 
are  surrounded  by  dangers  that  threaten  overthrow,  do 
the  best  yoii  can,  trust  in  God  and.  He  will  strengthen 
your  heart,  "for  in  the  Lord  Jehovah  is  everlastino- 
strength,"  and  "  He  is  mighty  to  save." 

God  has  made  a  beautiful,  bountiful  and  beneficent 
world  for  the  comfort,  happiness  and  prosperity  of  His 
people,  and  He  has  richly  bestowed  upon  them  the  op- 
portunities, facilities  and  capacities  for  reasonable  acqui- 
sition and  enjoyment;  and  it  is  His  good  pleasure  that 
they  should  possess  and  employ  these  Divine  bounties 
for  their  own  happiness  and  His  glory. 

My  Young  Brothers,  who  are  about  to  enter  upon  the 
duties  of  real  life,  "be  of  good  courage,  '  and ,  with  brave, 
cheerful  and  hopeful  hearts,  go  forth  to  do  those  duties 
and  partake  of  the  blessings  that  so  largely  abound  in 
this  "goodly  land  "  and  heritage  which  God  gave  to  our 
fathers,  and  has  thus  far  signally  preserved  to  their  pos- 
terity. Indeed  it  is  a  "goodly  land  " — far  exceeding  in 
natural  beauty,  richness,  vastness,  grandeur  and  sublim- 
ity the  Promised  Land  which  was  given  to  Israel  as  their 
inheritance  and  heaven-blessed  home. 

This  magnificent  land,  unknown  to  the  ancient  world 


I 


i6 

and  marked  by  traces  and  memorials  of  departed  civili- 
zation, was  Divinely  closed  to  discovery,  exploration 
and  settlement  by  modern  nations  until  God  had,  in  the 
furnace  fires  of  trial,  persecution  and  oppression — during 
dark,  disastrous  and  revolutionary  centuries— gradually 
developed  among  men  the  principles  of  civil  and  relig- 
ious freedom  and  enlightened  Christianity,  and  prepared 
a  people  to  plant  them  in  the  grand  forest  solitudes  of 
America  and  build  up  the  splendid  institutions  of  Christ- 
ian civilization  in  this  Great  Republic  of  sovereign  and 
independent  States. 

The  wisdom,  goodness,  mercy  and  powers  of  God  in 
the  planting,  guidance  and  preservation  of  the  people  of 
the  United  States  are  so  clearly  manifested  that  even 
imperfect  history  seems  to  be  a  revelation  of  His  will, 
plans  and  purposes  as  to  the  duty  and  destiny  of  the 
Anglo-American  race. 

Stand  as  vigilant,  patriotic  and  heroic  guards  around 
the  institutions  of  civil  and  religious  freedom,  which — un- 
der the  guidance  of  Omnipotence — our  venerated  ances- 
tors established  and  we  now  enjoy.  These  institutions 
were  founded  upon  the  principles  of  truth,  justice,  integ-  ■ 
rity  and  Christianity,  and  they  can  only  be  sustained  and 
preserved  by  the  patriotism,  virtue,  intelligence  and 
piety  of  our  people,  ever  observing  the  precepts  and 
commands  of  our  Divine  Ruler  and  Guide. 

Mere  physical  courage,  scientific  enlightenment,  accu- 
mulated wealth  and  natural  resources  and  advantages 
will  not  of  themselves  make  a  nation  great,  prosperous 
and  happy. 

"  Except  the  Lord  build  the  house  they  labor  in  vain 
that  build  it ;  except  the  Lord  keep  the  city  the  watch- 
man waketh  but  in  vain." 

Our  Christian  homes  are  heritages  of  the  Lord.  He 
is  their  Maker  and  Builder.     In  them  dwell  and  abide  the 


17 

purest,  dearest  and  holiest  affections  and  joys  of  life,  that 
cheer,  bless  and  urge  us  onward  in  our  noblest  efforts 
and  aspirations,  and  enrich  our  hearts  with  hallowed 
memories.  There  God  in  his  continuous  and  merciful 
providence  lays  deep  and  strong  the  concrete  foundations, 
and  builds  the  beneficent  superstructures  of  domestic  and 
social  peace  and  happiness,  and  national  unity,  prosperity, 
power  and  progres.  There  too  our  daughters  "may  be 
as  cornerstones  polished  after  the  similitude  of  a  palace," 
and  our  sons  grow  up  in  their  youth  and  become  affection- 
ate, intelligent,  virtuous,  strong  and  heroic  guardians  to 
defend  our  gates  against  the  encroachments  and  assaults 
of  all  our  enemies. 

In  all  your  efforts  to  acquire  knowledge,  wealth,  influ- 
ence and  fame,  endeavor  to  learn  what  is  just  and  true  in 
order  that  you  may  do  what  is  generous,  honorable, 
merciful  and  right.  Do  all  that  you  can  to  suppress  the 
causes  and  agencies  of  vice,  error,  injustice  and  fraud, 
and  to  alleviate  the  sorrows  and  misfortunes  that  surround 
you. 

Constantly  strive  to  multiply,  strengthen  and  advance 
all  the  agencies  and  instrumentalities  that  contribute  to 
State  and  national  honor,  patriotism  and  advancement; 
— and  to  the  moral,  intellectual  and  Christian  enlighten- 
ment, prosperity  and  happiness  of  your  fellow-citizens 
and  all  mankind. 

You  will  always  love  your  childhood  home  and  cherish 
the  sacred  memories  that  cluster  there.  With  a  kindred 
affection,  love  and  cherish  this  University — the  early  home 
of  your  moral  ond  intellectual  manhood.  As  your  Alma 
Mater  she  has  bestowed  upon  you  many  rich  gifts  by 
which  you  ran  acquire  enjoyment,  usefulness,  honor  and 
fame.  Strive — as  far  as  you  can— to  recognize  and  pay 
this  debt  of  gratitude,  by  sustaining  her  reputation,  pro- 


moting  her  honor,  and  increasing  and  enlarging  her  in- 
fluences and  resources,  so  that  she  may  be  able  to  bestow 
richer  blessings  upon  her  future  sons  and  make  them 
wiser,  stronger,  better  and  nobler  than  their  elder  broth- 
ers who  have  so  largely  contributed  to  her  fame. 

All  the  moral  and  intellectual  efforts  of  past  ages  have 
enriched  and  strengthened  the  present  generations  with 
marvellous  acquisitions  and  wondrous  power  with  which 
they  are  entering  into  the  more  valuable  treasure-houses 
and  sublimer  possibilities  of  the  future.  There  will  be 
no  halt  in  the  march  of  progress, — it  will  be  ever  onward 
and  upward  to  higher  and  broader  fields  of  knowledge, 
to  grander  deeds  and  more  beneficent  achievements. 

Love  the  dear  "Old  North  State" — the  foster  mother 
of  this  University.  Love  her  as  the  exiled  Jew — in  every 
clime  of  his  wanderings — loves  the  now  desolate  and  op- 
pressed land  of  his  early  fathers.  Love  her,  as  the  Swit- 
zer  loves  his  fertile  valleys,  shining  lakes  and  grand 
mountains.  Love  her,  as  the  German  race  love  the 
"Fadderland."  Love  her,  as  the  Scotchman  loves  his 
"bonny  banks  and  braes" — his  heathery  hills  and  misty 
Highlands.  Love  her,  as  the  sons  of  Erin  love  the 
Emerald  Isle — consecrated  by  genius  and  heroism,  and 
endeared  to  the  hearts  of  all  friends  of  freedom,  justice 
and  humanity,  by  warm  sympathies  awakened  by  her 
many  wrongs,  sorrows  and  misfortunes. 

Love  North  Carolina,  as  our  patriot  fathers  loved  her 
when  they  went  from  their  forest  homes  to  struggle  and 
die  as  heroes  for  her  freedom  and  her  fame.     Love  her, 
as  her  "  Boys  in  Gray"  loved  her — when  cold,  ragged  and 
hungry  they  did  loyal  service  in  the  deadly  trenches  andi 
on  the  dangerous  picket  lines; — when  foot  sore  and  wearyj 
they  toiled  in  summer  and  winter  along  the  hot,  gloomy,; 
painful  and  rugged  march; — when  prostrated  by  diseasej 


19 

or  wounds  they  languished  on  rude  beds  in  hospital  wards 
or  in  prison  cells,  yearning  for  the  kind  words,  the  sym- 
pathetic eyes,  the  tender  hands,  and  the  sweet  kiss  of 
loved  onesat  home; — yes, — love  herastheydid  when  their 
gallant  spirits  ascended  to  heaven  amidst  the  smoke,  the 
roar  and  blaze  of  the  battle  conflict.  Patriotism  is  only 
an  enlarged  love  for  humanity  and  home — kindred  to  the 
noblest  virtues  that  elevate  and  adorn  human  character. 

My  Young  Brothers:  May  God  bless  and  keep  you. 
May  He  cause  His  face  to  shine  upon  you,  and  help  you 
to  discharge  aright  your  duties  to  Him,  to  your  fellow- 
men,  to  your  country,  to  yourselves  and  to  humanity  and 
home. 

"  Labor,  dream,  endure,  achieve  aspire 
Give  your  lives  as  Heaven  sees  best, 
Strive  to  conquer  till  your  work  is  done 
Then  you'll  find  peace,  joy  and  rest." 

My  Friends  and  Fellow-citizens,  who,  by  your  presence 
have  honored  my  Alma  Mater  on  this  one  of  her  gala 
days,  I  assure  you  of  our  sincere  thankfulness  and  appre- 
ciation and  of  our  most  cordial  welcome.  I  have  a  few 
words  of  encouragement  and  counsel  as  to  our  common 
duties  and  opportunities  as  citizens  and  philanthropists. 

We  are  now  entering  upon  a  very  momentous  epoch. 
The  year  1893,  will  in  the  future,  be  regarded  as  one  of 
the  most  memorable  and  beneficent  eras  in  human  his- 
tory. As  I  stand  here  to-day  and  look  back  over  the 
past  fifty  years,  I  am  bewildered,  astounded  and  enrap- 
tured, as  in  mental  vision,  I  behold  the  grand  panorama 
of  the  marvellous  events  and  the  munificent  and  splendid 
achievements  of  Christian  civilization. 

During  that  period  more  has  been  accomplished  for  the 
Christian  enlightenment,  elevation,  happiness,  prosperity 
and  freedom  of  mankind  than  in  all  the  preceding  years 


20 

of  the  four  centuries  which  have  elapsed  since  the  keels 
of  the  caravels  of  Columbus  touched  the  fragrant  autumnal 
shores  of  the  West  Indian  Isles. 

But  as  I  look  forward  with  the  optimistic  eye  of  pa- 
triotic, philanthropic  and  Christian  hope  I  can  catch 
gleams  of  the  glories  of  the  coming  generations,  and  I 
bid  them  "All  hail  and  welcome." 

From  all  the  events  that  have  occured  and  will  occur, 
from  all  the  things  that  have  been  and  will  be  thought, 
said,  done  and  felt  in  the  United  States  during  this  year, 
I  think  I  am  warranted  in  indulging  in  the  brightest  and 
most  hopeful  anticipations. 

All  the  great  nations  of  the  world  have  sent  war-ships 
to  our  shores  as  heralds  of  comity  and  good  will.  They 
have  passed  our  marine  fortresses  unharmed — rejoicing 
voices  and  resounding  salvoes  have  welcomed  them  into 
our  ports  and  havens;  and  they  have  commingled  in 
harmonious  intercourse  with  the  splendid  ships  of  our 
gallant  and  courteous  navy.  Their  banners — emblems 
of  nationality  and  power — have  floated  on  our  breezes 
and  cast  their  peaceful  shadows  upon  our  playful  waters. 
The  flash  and  roar  of  their  cannon  have  been  seen  and 
heard  with  admiration,  and  without  alarm — as  their 
voices  of  war  had  become  voices  of  peace. 

The  assembled  representatives  of  the  navies  of  the 
world  presented  a  magnificent  array.  Never  before  has 
there  been  seen  such  a  congress  of  the  Iron  Clad  Mon- 
archs  of  the  deep,  exchanging  the  cordial  courtesies  of 
amicable  relations.  They  have  a  common  home  upon 
the  ocean,  they  freely  range  in  every  clime,  and  I  sin- 
cerely hope  that  no  causes  will  ever  occur  to  disturb  their 
friendly  relations  and  bring  them  into  deadly  and  dis- 
astrous conflict. 

Our  railroads,  steamboats,  towns  and  cities  are  teeming 


21 

with  representatives  of  all  races  and  climes,  who  are 
mingling  with  our  people  in  friendly  intercourse,  and  in 
the  ways  and  relations  of  business,  trade  and  commerce. 

On  the  Exposition  Grounds  at  Chicago  many  com- 
modious and  elegant  edifices  and  halls  have  been  erected 
and  furnished  where  merchants,  manufacturers,  mechan- 
ics, engineers,  artists,  scientists,  educators,  philanthrop- 
ists, moral  reformers  and  evangelists  of  Christianity,  from 
ever>  land,  may  have  opportunities  and  facilities  of 
holding  association  and  conference  in  their  peculiar 
spheres  of- interest,  inclination,  employment  and  duty; 
and  devise  means  and  methods  for  the  advancement  and 
accomplishment  of  their  business  plans  and  purposes,  or 
their  beneficent  and  benevolent  designs. 

There  are  also  numerous  extensive  and  magnificent 
Exposition  buildings  in  which  the  best,  richest,  most 
useful  and  most  splendid  productions  of  the  industry,  en- 
terprise, skill,  intellect  and  genius  of  all  nations  are  col- 
lected, arranged  and  elegantly  displayed — not  for  the 
purposes  of  eager  and  selfish  commercial  competition  but 
in  a  spirit  of  national  pride  and  generous  emulation. 

Manifold  advantages  will  accrue  to  the  representatives 
of  all  nations  participating  in  the  Columbian  Exposition 
at  Chicago.  It  will  be  the  means  of  bringing  the  mental, 
moral,  religious  and  business  elements,  agencies  and 
forces  of  various  nationalities  and  forms  of  civilization 
into  comparison  with  the  blessings,  trophies  and  triumphs 
of  peace  which  have  been  achieved  under  our  benign 
institutions  of  civil  and  religious  freedom  and  Christian 
civilization. 

Our  people  will  receive  much  valuable  knowledge  from 
the  older  nations  of  Europe  who  earlier  possessed  the 
rich  stores  of  the  treasures  of  thought,  learning  and  art 
which    came    down    from    classic    antiquity,   and    whose 


22 

civilizations  were  developed  by  industry,  enterprise,  ex- 
perience and  assiduous  culture  during  eventful  ages,  in 
the  midst  of  proud,  suggestive  and  inspiring  historic 
scenes  and  localities,  consecrated  by  the  highest  efforts 
of  genius  and  heroism,  and  associated  with  the  magnific- 
ent memorial  relics  ot  Mediaeval  and  Renaissance  cen- 
turies. 

We  will  derive  many  benefits  even  from  the  nations 
which  we  have  regarded  as  heathen  and  semi-barbarous. 
Our  race  prejudices  will  be  greatly  modified,  and  our 
mental  and  moral  views  will  be  much  enlarged  in  scope 
and  liberality.  We  will  become  more  cosmopolitan  and 
philanthropic  in  our  charities  of  opinion,  and  in  the  kind- 
liness of  our  commercial  and  social  relations.  We  will 
believe  more  in  the  kinship  of  humanity  and  in  the  pos- 
sibilities of  universal  brotherhood  among  all  the  races  of 
mankind. 

The  foreigners  who  come  to  our  shores  will  witness 
the  manifold  productions  of  our  energy,  enterprise,  skill, 
intellect,  industry  and  moral  virtue,  and  they  will  see,  in 
some  degree,  the  conveniences,  comforts,  pleasures,  lux- 
uries, and  advantages  which  we  possess  and  enjoy  as  a 
free,  enlightened  and  Christian  people.  They  will  see 
them  in  our  happy,  contented  and  prosperous  homes; — in 
our  active  marts  of  successful  trade  and  commerce; — in 
our  busy  worshops  and  manufactories  where  free  labor  is 
employed  in  various  profitable  and  useful  industries; — in 
our  country  dwellings  surrounded  by  gardens,  orchards, 
vineyards,  fertile  fields  and  green  pastures  yielding  the 
varied  and  abundant  products  of  agricultural  pursuits; — 
in  our  thriving  villages,  towns  and  splendid  cities; — in  our 
well  equipped  and  wisely  managed  schools,  colleges  and 
universities  enriching  and  elevating  the  minds  and  hearts 
of  our  people  with   valuable   knowledge,  liberal   culture 


23 

and  many  virtues; — in  our  hospitals  and  homes  for  the 
sick  and  the  poor; — in  our  large  and  commodious  institu- 
tions for  the  afflicted  and  unfortunate; — in  our  Sabbath 
Schools  where  children  are  guided  in  the  ways  of  knowl- 
edge, morality,  virtues  and  piety  and  their  young  hearts 
are  made  joyous  by  singing  the  melodies  of  Christian 
minstrelsy; — in  our  numerous  benevolent  associations  en- 
gaged in  all  the  paths  of  life — in  rescuing  the  tempted, 
restoring  the  fallen,  and  giving  hope,  courage  and  help 
to  those  who  are  bowed  down  by  the  despondencies  and 
burdens  of  misfortune. 

They  will  see  our  churches  of  all  denominations  active- 
ly and  earnestly  endeavoring — by  virtuous  examples,  lib- 
eral gifts  and  many  efficient  agencies, — to  circulate  the 
Bible  in  all  languages,  and  to  inculcate,  at  home  and  in 
every  land,  the  enlightening  and  elevating  truths  and 
principles  of  this  Gospel  of  Christianity.  They  will  also 
learn  from  observation,  and  from  thousands  of  eloquent 
voices,  that  the  sectarian  bigotry  and  antagonism  which 
once  existed  to  such  a  large  extent  among  the  various 
denominations, — retarding  the  progress  of  the  kingdom  of 
God, — are  now  rapidly  passing  away,  and  giving  place  to 
feelings  and  associations  of  brotherly  kindness  and 
Christian  charity. 

The  instinctive  love  of  justice  and  freedom  is  implanted 
by  God  in  every  human  heart  and  it  will  be  kindled 
into  a  warmer  glow  in  the  bosoms  of  citizens  of  lands  of 
oppression  and  wrong,  when  they  witness  and  apprehend 
more  fully  the  grand  political  truth  of  humanity — so 
clearly  taught  and  so  splendidly  illustrated  by  our  Great 
Republic — that  a  free,  virtuous,  enlightened  and  Christ- 
ian people  are  capable  of  self-goverement,  and  of  Divine 
right,  ought  to  exercise  this  God  given  privilege  and 
blessing. 


24 

These  suggestive  objects,  ideas,  examples  and  associa- 
tions, and  the  cordial  welcome  and  fraternal  courtesies 
extended  to  foreigners  during  this  year  will  tend  greatly 
to  transfer  to  other  lands  germinating  and  developing 
principles,  truths,  ideas,  feelings,  agencies  and  influ- 
ences that  will  produce  many  changes,  innovations, 
improvements  and  beneficences  in  all  the  departments  of 
other  civilizations  and  conditions  of  society,  and  rapidly 
advance  the  progress  of  Christian  enlightenment,  regen- 
eration, emancipation  and  evangelization  among  all  the 
races  of  mankind,  and  bind  them  in  the  bonds  of  Christ- 
ian brotherhood. 

Any  student  graduating  at  this  Commencement,  if  he 
be  so  fortunate  as  to  live  the  next  fifty  years,  and  shall 
enjoy  the  privilege  I  do  here  to-day,  of  contemplating 
views  of  retrospection  and  anticipation,  he  will  find  that 
my  seemingly  extravagant  forecast  has  been  far  exceeded 
by  splendid  realities. 

Fortunate,  indeed,  will  be  the  generations  of  thecoms- 
ing  ages,  as  in  succession  they  progressively  reach, — in 
their  onward  march,  —the  new,  rich  and  expanding  fields 
of  literature,  art  and  science;  partake  of  the  new  and 
manifold  comforts,  conveniences  and  luxuries  that  indus- 
try, enterprise,  skill,  intellect  and  genius  have  contrib- 
uted to  human  health  and  enjoyment, — and  rise  to  higher 
and  higher  elevations  of  Christian  light,  knowledge,  vir- 
tue, charity  and  spirituality,  ever  approaching, — in  the 
midst  of  increasing  splendors, — the  period  of  ultimate 
magnificence  foreshown  to  prophetic  vision  and  sublimely 
predicted  by  inspiration. 

"  For  the  earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of 
the  glory  of  the  Lord  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea." 


A  NATIONAL  PEACE  JUBILEE. 


Read  by  Hon.  Robert  P.  Dick,  on  June  7th,  1893,  the  Com- 
mencement Day  of  the  University  of  North  CaroUna,  and  the  fiftieth 
anniversary  of  liis  graduation.  Prepared  by  combining  original  lines 
with  copious  extracts  from  a  recent  poem  by  Mr.  Hezekiah  Butter- 
worth. 

"The  dawn  of  new  ages  is  breaking, 
The  cycle  of  concord  has  come. 
There  is  peace  in  the  echoing  bugle, 
And  a  festival  march  in  the  drum." 
The  bugle  blast  and  the  drum  beat 
Cheered  hearts  that  were  noble  and  brave 
As  they  fought  for  freedom  and  home 
In  the  land — God  their  fathers  gave. 
Now  they  cheer  us  in  the  efforts 
That  our  noblest  powers  employ, 
To  win  the  earth  by  kindness 
For  freedom's  blessings  and  joy. 

The  air  is  vocal  with  joyous  strains. 

Advancing  light  new  hope  is  revealing. 

Faces  glow  with  kindness  and  gladness 

For  the  beams  of  the  Day  Spring  are  healing. 

The  hum  of  labor,  the  scream  of  the  engine. 

The  loud  roar  of  the  rushing  train 

Show  new  thought,  and  emotions  throbbing 

In  the  public  heart  and  brain. 

Splendid  processions  with  music  are  moving. 

In  the  pride  and  pomp  of  martial  array 

They  bear  aloft  their  industrial  banners. 

The  noble  triumphs  of  peace  to  display. 

Floral  wreaths  and  garlands  are  carried. 


26 


Woven  by  hands  of  beauty  and  skill, 

They  breathe  the  pure,  sweet  fragrance  of  home 

And  hearts  with  love  and  energy  fill. 

Fresh  ardor  is  kindled  by  eloquent  voices 

As  past  and  future  glories  are  told. 

Love  of  country  is  warmed  with  a  fervor, 

While  life  lasts  will  never  grow  cold. 

Booms  of  welcome  from  cannon  are  sounding. 

Chimes  of  bells  are  harmonious  and  grand, 

For  nations  have  come  here  to  meet  us 

In  the  realms  of  our  beautiful  land. 

The  races  have  gathered  as  kinsmen, 
Their  voices  of  friendship  now  ring 
Over  plains,  valleys  and  highlands. 
As  the  products  of  their  labor  they  bring. 
Bring  to  the  shrines  of  freedom 
To  honor  the  grand  heroes  who  gave 
This  land  for  the  dwelling  of  freemen — 
This  land  where  breathes  not  a  slave. 

Hallowed  memories  now  greet  us. 
We  are  proud  of  those  patriot  sires 
Who  built  here  the  temples  of  freedom 
And  kindled  their  altar  fires. 
They  came  from  the  eastward  climes. 
From  lands  of  appression  and  wrong, 
God  guided  their  ocean  pathways, 
And  made  them  successful  and  strong — 
Strong  to  do  justice  and  right. 
Strong  to  proclaim  doctrines  of  peace 
That  will  give  to  other  nations 
Blessings  that  never  shall  cease. 
We  will  be  true  to  the  mission 
Which  our  Fathers  as  heroes  began. 


^ 


27 

And  keep  this  heritage  of  heaven 

As  a  home  of  freedom  for  man. 

Gospel  truth  is  liberty's  sunlight. 

In  other  lands  was  the  cloudy  dawning, 

But  here  shines  the  full  glories  of  freedom, 

This  is  the  blest  land  of  the  morning. 

O!   land  of  beauty  and  richness. 
Home  of  the  brave  and  the  free. 
Send  your  west  winds  laden  with  balm. 
To  welcome  voyagers  over  the  sea; 
Welcome  them  to  your  genial  clime, 
Where  freedom  such  blessings  has  brought. 
To  your  homes  of  contentment  and  peace. 
Where  the  truths  of  the  Gospel  are  taught; 
To  your  wide  realm  where  free  labor  can  win 
The  wealth  that  independence  will  give. 
Where  wise  laws  and  justice  ever  prevail, 
And  in  equality  of  rights  they  can  live. 
To  your  schools  and  churches  that  teach 
How  best  to  perform  the  duties  of  life, 
And  make  the  nation  happy  and  great 
And  lessen  the  evils  of  error  and  strife 
They  come  with  affectionate  fondness 
Where  homes  of  peace  are  strongly  secured. 
And  no  form  of  oppression  long  can  injure, 
No  gross  wrong  will  long  be  endured. 
For  noble,  brave  freemen  are  the  masters, 
The  source  of  their  just  power  is  divine. 
The  ballot  box  speaks  their  mandates, 
A  free  Bible  is  their  voiceful  shrine. 

The  greetings  of  the  people  are  cordial, 
Their  hearts  with  good  emotions  are  glowing 
And  all  nations  with  wonder  observe 


28 


How  the  brotherly  feeling  is  growing. 

Among  churches  more  Christian  concord   is  seen, 

And  their  labors  of  love  are  widely  extending 

Through  this  land  and  over  the  seas. 

The  Gospel's  glad  tidings  they  are  sending. 

With  hearts  full  of  thanksgiving  we  feel 

That  "A  Year  of  Jubilee"  truly  has  come, 

And  the  nations  are  present  to  hail  it 

With  joyous  acclaim  in  Liberty's  Home. 

"The  joys  that  our  bosoms  are  thrilling, 

The  hearts  of  all  ages  shall  share. 

The  warships  and  peaceships"  are  mingling 

And  floating  their  flags  in  the  air. 

"The  skies  of  good  will  bend  over  them," 

With  joy  the  waters  seem  swelling; 

Their  sails  are  kissed  by  the  breezes 

That  messages  of  welcome  are  telling, 

"  Liberty  high  her  banner  hath  lifted," 

Emblazoned  with  the  beams  of  the  sun. 

"It  floats  for  the  new  years  of  heaven, 

The  brotherhood — fraternity  has  won." 

Now  all  races  in  spirit  are  blending, 

"For  man  move  the  cycles  sublime 

The  summons  fol^  peace  is  ascending 

From  the  jubilee  trumpets  of  time." 

The  star  flag — the  herald  of  freedom 

Has  the  sunlight  of  hope  on  its  brow. 

"  It  floats  for  the  best  of  all  ages, 

And  the  best  of  all  ages — is  now. 

That  to  man  may  be  given  his  birthright, 

To  knowledge — the  future  that  waits. 

Equality — freedom  to  labor, 

And  labor  the  wealth  it  creates. 

That  the  temples  of  truth  for  their  Master 


I 


29 

By  charity's  feet  may  he  trod. 

That  hearts  that  are  humble  and  human, 

May  do  the  swift  service  of  God. 

Fraternity!  rise  to  thy  mission, 

The  noblest  since  order  began. 

Till  the  nations  are  brothers  united 

In  one  federation  of  man. 

The  future  stands  waiting  to  greet  thee, 

And  battle  her  standards  has  furled." 

Columbia's  flag  in  gladness  is  floating. 

Her  sons  and  her  daughters  are  shouting 

Hail!   Welcome!   Peace  to  the  World. 


I 


